My happy week

Last week was a happy week, I had some news about me, my students and my friend. Now, Let me share my happiness to you.

First, some good news about me. Last Monday, I received a letter and a “Discover Canada” book from CIC (Citizenship and Immigration Canada) office. This was to acknowledge receipt for my Canadian citizenship application. My application and documents will be reviewed, and they will contact me if more informations are required. They will inform me of the date, time and place of my writing test, interview and ceremony. I have been here for more than 3 years, so I applied for the Canadian citizenship in September. Every Thursday after school, I’m taking Peter’s citizenship classes to learn this book about Canada’s history, geography, government, rights and responsibilities. I enjoy his classes and I hope I am luck enough to pass the writing test in 1 year.

Second, some good news about about my students. Last Tuesday, my student Lily invited me to attend her wedding party in Chinese New Year. She said that I will see a lot of my students if I go back to China. They haven’t seen me for 1 year, they miss me very much. I was glad to hear her husband Gang, who was my student too. They studied at the same high school and university. They are doctors at same hospital in Fuzhou city. I think it is fate that they love each other. I gave her my best wishes and told her that I could attend her wedding.

Third, some good news about my friend. Last Friday, my friend Yan passed an interview and got a good job in a computer company in Ottawa. He was a excellent teacher at a university for 20 years. He is going to start work next Monday. In celebration, we drove to Alonquin park that is the most famous with another friends last weekend. We had not seen such beautiful maple leaves before. We had a good time and enjoyed this trip.

a workshop about Employment Rights

Last morning,we had a nice workshop about Employment Rights at work. A office woman gave us some informations such as what are your rights if you are fired or laid off? How much is your minimax wages? Can you have pregnancy leaves and get 50 weeks benefits? Can you get a vocation every year and is different for each company? Can you get EI if you are fired or laid off morn than 13 weeks? What do you do if you have been fired or laid off with no notice,or no pay? Where can you get helping? I think there are very important and useful informations for newcomer and worker. So,I decide to share these informations to my friends.

My happy week

Last week was a happy week. I had some news for me, my students and my friend. Now, Let me tell you and share my happiness.

First, a good news for me. Last Monday, I received a letter and a “Cover Canada” book from CIC(Citizenship and Immigration Canada) office. This was to acknowledge receipt for my Canadian citizenship. My application and documents will now be reviewed and they will contact me if these informations are required. They will inform me of the date,time and place of my writing test , interview or ceremony. I have been here for more 3 years, so I applied the Canadian citizenship on September. Every Thursday after school, I take Peter’s citizenship class to learn this book about Canada’s history, geography, government, the rights and responsibilities. I enjoy his class and I hope I am luck that I can pass the writing test in 1 year.

Second, a good news for my students. Last Tuesday, my student Lily called me and invited me to attend her wedding in Chinese New Year. I can see a lot of my students and they miss me very much. I was glad to hear her husband Gang who was my student too. They studied at a same high school and University , They are doctors in Fuzhou city. I think it is fate that they love together. I told her that I can go to her wedding and give her best wishes for them.

Third, a good news for my friend. Last Friday , my friend Yan Passed a interview and got a good job in a computer company. He was a excellent teacher in a university for 20 years. He will work next Monday. For celebrating, we drove to park that is oldest and famous on last weekend. We had not seen so beautiful maple leaves before. It was a good time and we enjoyed this trip.

                                           

                                                             St. Laurence Market

I had a great trip on September 11, I think It was possible the last hot day of de summer .I was glade met my teacher Joseph and class mater (Maribel.Chang.Mamaz.Amanda and Golnaz.) at Bayview station . We started our trip at 9;30 and took subway for 40 minutes to Bay street.then walked to visit a lot of places.such as the Commerce court,centre banks,a Cathedral church,the St.Laurence Market,the Market Gallery Museum,the sugar factory and the sugar beach. We had a good lunch time in a Loblaws supermarket and enjoyed our delicious foods. We were excited in this trip and came back to home at 2.pm.

Laurence Market is a famous market in Toronto. There are 120 shops such as meat shops,honey shops.seafood shops,flower shops,fruit shops,wine shops,vegetable shops, bakery shops, clothes shops and gift shops. Every day ,a lot of people come here to shopping or eat and enjoy these fresh foods. They will be able to compare and discover what was sale and where it came from. They could buy bear meat,wild swan and deer with the antlers still on and that the first market. We met Katie who had came here to wait us for 1 hour and bought some bread before we arrived. She was happy to join us to visit these shops. I saw some Art school’s students were drawing the beautiful and characteristic shops. I walked to a famous Carousel Bakery shop which products “peameal back bacon on a bun “is very delicious, many people waited in line to buy it. I met a couple that maybe 60 years old and look friendly were selecting a bunch of rose. They told me that they love flowers so much that often come here to buy a different flowers every week ,beautiful flowers always bring good life for them.

The Market Gallery Museum is located in the market on the second floor in the 19 th. century Toronto city council chamber(1845--1899). Which is all that remains from the City Hall. The Gallery offers changing exhibition dedicated to our city history,art and culture. Since its opening the Gallery has displayed over 120 exhibitions here. Gallery hours are Tuesday to Friday(10.am--4.pm), Saturday (9.am--4.pm). Closed Sunday Monday and holidays. The Gallery also offers educations programs for school group and adult. We were interested to listen the history from our teacher Joseph and learned a lot of informations. We were glad to take pictures together here.
   
This was a wonderful and meaningful trip. Thank Joseph for letting us to learn more about our city or country. He is a great teacher that always plans a lot of good events to us. he had made particular map and given many informations before the trip, he always introduces patiently during the trip, he shares the happy pictures on time after the trip in our class blog. I think the trips are very good way to know about our city and country. So I hope everybody don’t miss the trips and can bring your family or friends together to share our happiness.

                          A Parking Ticket

        

Last Thursday, my husband and I drove to Chinatown to go shopping after school. It was very difficult to find a parking spot, I looked at this parking sign that can park here from Monday to Friday at 7.am to 9.pm, also you need to pay for parking. My husband helped me to check”Yes ,we can park here!”. So I paid two hours of parking and put this ticket into my car where the police can see.

 I was very sad when I came back because I got a parking ticket. I looked at this parking sign again and again that to make sure I did park here. I was confused then called my friend Annie to tell  this thing. She said ”Don't worry,my dear. If you think that you are right ,You need to go to a police stations to explain this thing, Maybe you can get a discount!Good luck!” I know my English is not good enough, but I decided to try do that. I took pictures of my car’s parking spot with the parking sign, I planed to show the pictures to explain when I went to a police station.

     I drove to a police station at 1271 Markham Road in Friday morning, I filled a form, then quietly waited in line. After 10 minute, I heard a policeman who is a little bald and looks friendly ”Good afternoon!”

    ”Good afternoon,” I gave the parking ticket to him “Yesterday afternoon, I got a ticket in Chinatown Street, It is my first ticket ,but I am confused.”

    The policeman smiled:”What’s happen? Please tell me!”

    I showed my parking fees and pictures” Please help me to check this parking sign, I thought I can park here and I had paid 2 hours fees of parking before I left , but I don’t know why I got this ticket?”

    The polices looked at his computer a moment to check ”Did you notice 2 parking signs seriously?”

    “2 parking signs?” I was surprise ” I only saw this parking sign! Where is another one?”

    “Please look!”The policeman turned his computer “ This parking sign that you noticed , you can park here, but another parking sign is behind your car that you did not notice.”

    ”What is the sign mean? I had never seen it before.”I asked.

    ”This is a loading sign, it means you can’t park this area because the trucks need to park here to load for these shops. Do you understand?” He pointed the sign to told me.

    ”Yes, I do. I parked a wrong spot. I need to pay this ticket.”I nodded .

     The policeman thought a moment and said”Are you new to Toronto?”

     I told him“Yes, I am a newcomer and just moved here form Ottawa last month.”

     He smiled friendly” Well, Free for you, You don’t need to pay this ticket !”

    ” Free? Really? Why?” I couldn't  believe my ears.

    ”Yes,Free!” He nodded  “It is your first ticket, I think you are a good driver,you should take care to notice all parking signs next time. Welcome to Toronto and enjoy your life in Canada!”

     ”Thank you very much! “ I was happy “This is a good gift for me in Toronto.”

    ”You are a newcomer"the policeman said.” Do you mind that let me tell you some information for new driver?”

    “Please tell me, I am pleased to listen!” I said.

     The policeman patiently told me:”If you got a ticket ,You have 3 ways to pay by mail,on line, and police station. If you have some questions or confusions, You don’t hesitate and go to one of the police stations to ask and explain. You do that very well this time! If you think that you are right and don’t agree or accept this ticket, You can go to a court to appeal. This is your right!”

    ”Thank you for letting me know these information that are very important! “ I smiled to him ”Have a good day!” I was so luck because I met a nice policeman.

      It is an impressive and memorable experience in my life. Through this thing that I know more about Canada. In Canada, you are free to do anything you can under law , but you must obey with rules. Otherwise, you will get a ticket or a severely punishment. In Canada, government handles these matters are very humanistic and democratic. The most important and main purpose that is not to punish, but to educate, so that people know how to do it right and improve their quality. I think that is why Canada is a advanced country in the world!

I'm Teresa and glad to meet you and class maters. I enjoy your class and need to study hard everyday!